Tube beading tool



H. F'. BRINEN All.,

eb. 20, 19M

\ TUBE BEADING T001.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ww l um. Nw 9W Mw mwnm. uw mmxww Filed March 3l, 1948 bh mm mw 5mn. QM.

Feb.. 20, 1951 H, F. BRlNEN ETAL 2,542,305

TUBE BEADING TOOL Filed March 31, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 20, 1951 TUBE BEADING TOOL Howard F. Brinen and Edward J. minera, Racine, Wis., assignors to Young Radiator Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation oi Wisconsin Application March 31, 1948, Serial No. 18,194

2 Claims. (Cl. 153-80) 1 The main objects of this invention are, to provide an improved form of tool for expanding thev having an improved form and arrangement of ay fluid-pressure and spring-motivated actuator for Veffecting the operation of the tube-end expand-` ing-element; to provide improved means for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid pressure to said actuator; to provide an improved construction of the actuator housing whereby tube-end expanding-elements of differing types may be operatively connected thereto; and to provide an improved tool of this kind so compact in form and design and so light in weight that it can be held in one hand and its operation con'- trolled by a slight movement of the index finger of the holding hand.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional detail of the preferred form of an improved tube-end beading or expanding tool constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the positioning of the tube-end expanding attachment in the tube preparatory to its being actuated to expand the tube .into a header plate:

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional detail of the uidcontrolled actuator for one attachment of this kind taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a part of the valve mechanism for said actuator taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tube-expanding attachment taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of a modified form of tube-end expanding attachment, the parts being shown in their relative positions after insertion in the tube end immediately prior to their actuation for expanding the tube end;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the relative positlon of the parts after the tube-end expanding operation has been completed; and

Figs. 10 and 1l are similar cross-sectional views for a further modified form of tube-end expanding attachment.

An improved tube-A-end beading or expanding tool embodying this invention comprises a support I2 whereon is mounted a fluid-pressurecontrolled actuator I3, the operation of which is effected by a fluid-pressure-controlled means I4. for actuating any one of several types of tubeend expanding attachments I5 which may be attached to the actuator I3.

The support I2 and actuator I3 are associated to simulate a pistol, the support I2 being shaped to rather comfortably t the hand, as is the case with a pistol grip, and with the fluid-pressurecontrolled means I4 being positioned for contact by the index finger of the hand grasping the support I2.

The actuatorv I3 comprises a cylinder I6 wherein is mounted a piston I1, attached to a rod I8, and retracted by air entering the orice I9 against a compression spring 2U.

The cylinder I6 is Welded or otherwise secured to the support I2. End caps 2I and 22 provide closures for the cylinder. The cap 2| also provides a support for a tube-end expanding attachment I5. The cap 22 has an orifice 22 through which air passes when the piston I1 is shifted in the cylinder I6.

The piston Il is of more or less conventional construction. A pair oi flanged flexible washers 23 are clamped between a pair of plates 24 by means of nuts 25 threaded on the rod' I8.

At its forward end the piston rod I8 extends through the cap 2I for connection with one of the parts of a tube-end expanding attachment I5, as will appear more fully hereinafter. At its rear end the rod I8 has a machine screw 26 secured therein in opposed reationship to a similar screw 21 secured in the .end cap 22. Between these screws is supported the spring 20 being held against displacement by said screws. The screw 2B is adjustable in the rod I8, and provided with the usual lock nut I8 so that its abutment against the screw 21 will determine the stroke of the piston rod I8 under the influence of air entering the cylinder orifice I8 as admitted by the air-flow control means I4, and consequently the amount of expansion effected by a tube-end expansion attachment I5.

The air-flow control means I4 comprises a valve stem 28 mounting a pair of opposed valves 29 and 30 and secured to a button 3l, slidably supported on a bushing 32, so as to control the fiow of air through an oriced disk 33 connecting the branches 34 and 35 of a conduit extending through the support I2 from the cylinder oriiice I3 to a lhose connection 33.

The valve 29 is located at the end of the stem 23 opposite the button 3| whereas thevalve 33 is located intermediate the valve 29 and the button 3|. Intermediate these valves the stem 23 is of reduced diameter so as to provide a chamber 31 communicating with orifices 33 in the disk 33. In the periphery of the disk 33 is formed a groove 33' aording communication between all of thev orifices 33 and the conduit branch 34.

'I'he valve 23 coacts with a valve seat 39' in a washer 43 to control communication between the chamber 31 and the conduit branch 35.

'I'he valve 33 coacts with a valve seat 4I formed on a disk 42 to control communication between the chamber 31 and oriiices 43 in the bushing 32 leading to an orifice 44 in the support I2 (see Fig. 6). A spring 45 interposed between a disk 43 and the button 3| normally urges the button 3| to shift the valve stem 23 to close communication between the conduit branches 34 and 35 through the chamber 31 and open communication between the chamber 31 and the orifices 43 and 44 leading to the atmosphere. To that end the disk 43 has a press fit within the bushing 32 so as to resist movement when force is applied against the spring 45 by pressure on the buttonV The bushing 32 is threaded into afg/transverse bore 41 in the support I2 and is set' to press the disks 42 and 33 against the compressionwashers 43 and 43' interposed respectively between the disks 33 and 42 and between the disk 33 and an annular shoulder 43 formed in the bore 41. This firmly fixes the relation of the valve seats 39 and 4I with regard to the valves 23 and 33 respectively. A compression ring 53 is interposed between the valve 33 and the disk 43 against which the valve 33 is normally urged by the spring 45 to limit the relationship of the valves 29 and 33 and their respective seats 39 and 4|.

A tube-end beading or expanding attachment I wherewith this air-controlled actuator I3 is suitable for use may takeany one oi' several different forms. A preferred modification is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and other modifications are shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and 10 and 1i, respec- In any of the modifications the attachment comprises a die 5I and a mandrel 52. In the preferred form of attachment, shown in Figs. 1

.to 4 inclusive, and the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the die 5I and mandrel 52 are associated with a housing 53 which, in the preferred form, has its outer end shaped to form a tube-end flaring nose 54.

In the preferred form of tube-'end expanding attachment I5, shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the die 5| is formed on the forward extremity of an integral part of a'tubular member 55 protruding beyond the housing 53. The inner end terminates in a hub or enlargement 53 slidable in the bore 51 of the housing 53 and connected to a sleeve 53 which supports a coupling 59 connecting the piston rod I3 to a rod 33, on the outer end of which is formed the mandrel 52. A head 59.I on the coupling 59, and thereby in effect on the rod 33, abuts a shoulder 53.I in the end of the sleeve 53, which constitutes on continuation of the member 55, and limits the relative movement of the rod 33 and the member 55.

When this head and coupling thus abut the member 55 is moved against the action of the spring 39 with any further retraction of the rod 33.

The die 5| is in the form of a pair of annular enlargements 3| on the outer extremity of the member 55. Inwardly from the end of the sleeve extend a plurality of slots, forming a plurality of fingers 52. These fingers are normally biased toward each other by the resiliency of the material from which the member is formed whereby the outside diameter of the annular enlargements 3| normally is less than the inside diameter of a tube 33 which the tool is to be used to expand. This permits the enlargements 3| to slip into the end of the tube 33 preparatory to expanding it into a header plate 34. The inner faces of the fingers 32, at their outer extremities, are tapered as indicated at 35 to conform to the cam face 33 of the mandrel 52.

The mandrel 52 is an integral enlargement at the outer end of the mandrel rod 33 and has a cam face 33 which coacts with the tapers 35 on the fingers 32 to expand the die 5| and form beads on the tube 33 when the rod 33 is drawn inwardly along the member 55.

In this preferred form of attachment I5, the housing 53, at the end opposite the flaring nose 54, is formed with a threaded hub 51 whereby the housing is attached to a nipple'33 threadedinto a hub on the cylinder cap 2|.

A spring 33 interposed between the sleeve 53 and the nipple 33 normally presses against the sleeve 53 to cause a retraction of the mandrel 52 from the die 5| up to the limit of the abutting of the enlargement 53 against the washer 13 which in turn abuts against the end of the bore 51- of the housing 53.

In the modified form of tube-end expanding attachment I5 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the housing 53 is integral with the member 55 on the outer extremity of which is formed the die 5I such as above described. As in the preferred form, the mandrel rod 33, in this modified form of attachment, is slidably sheathed in the tubular part 55 and has its rear end connected to the coupling 59 housed in the bore 51 and secured to the forward end of the piston rod I3. At the forward end of the bore 51 the washer 13 is so located as to serve as a stop to limit the forward movement of the. member 55 under the action ofl the spring 39 and indirectly of the coupling 59 under the action of the actuator spring 23, therefore limiting the retraction of the mandrel 52 from the die 5I.

In this modified form of attachment I5, a gauge sleeve 12 is mounted on the tubular member 55 and locked in position by a spring locking ring 13. The forward end of the sleeve 12 is cut away at opposite sides as shown at 14 so as to provide a pair of shoulderedfingers 15 adapted to contact the end of the tube 63 and limit the insertion of the die member 5I into said tube.

In the second modified form of the tube-end expanding attachment I5, shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the die member 5I is in the form of a pair of resilient rings 13, preferably rubber, and the die member 52 comprises a disk interposed between the rings 13 and a fitting 11 screwed onto the end of the mandrel rod` 33. In this modification the mandrel rod 33 at its inner end is formed with an enlargement 33 which is threaded so as to connect the mandrel rod 33 with the piston rod I8.

The operation of a tube-beading tool constructed in accordance with this'invention is as follows:

Once a tube-end expanding attachment I is set in the end of the tube 63 a depression of the button 3I shifts the valves 29 and 30 so as to unseat and seat the respective valves with regardV to their valve seats39 and II. This results in a closing of the forward end of the passage 31 and opening communication at the rear end` thereof with the branch conduit 35. Thereupon air rushes into the cylinder IB through the branch conduit 3| connecting the orifices 38 and I9. 'I'he piston I1 is forced rearwardly against the action of the spring 2li, causing the piston rod I8, acting on the mandrel rod 60, to draw the mandrel 52 against the die 5I, expanding it to form beads in the tube 63 as indicatedin the gures. Upon releasing the button 3| the spring 45 shifts the valves 23 and 30 to close communication between the conduit branches 34 and 35. The spring 2li shifts the piston to retract the mandrel 52 from the die 5I' and thereby disengage the head 59.I of the-coupling 53 from the shoulder 58.I on the inner end of the sleeve 53, to restore these parts to their normally retracted positions permitting the expanding attachment I5 to be withdrawn from the tube 53. In such movement of the piston I1 air 1n the cylinder I6 is forced out through the conduit branch 34, the chamber 31, and the orifices 43 and Il.

With the tube-end expanding attachment I5 of the type shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, after the mandrel 52 has been moved to expand the z die 5I and cause the enlargements 6I to form beads in the tube 63 on-opposite sides of the plate El, the air pressure in the actuator I3 eiTects a relative movement of the housing 53 with respect to the expanded die 5I so as to complete the flaring of the tube end as shown in Fig. 4L

When a tube-end expanding attachment of either of the modified forms shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and 19 and l1. respectively, is connected with the actuator I3, there is of course no relative movement of the housing-53 land the expanded die member 5I to effect a, tube end flare as is the case with the Ipreferred form shown in Figs. 1v to 4.

Other variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.I

vWe claim:

1. In a tube-beading and /flaring tool, the combination of a concentrically-arranged, relatively-shiftable housing, tubular member, and rod concentrically arranged for relative axial shifting, a tube flaring nose formed on the outer end of said housing to contact the end of a tube which is to be beaded and flared, said member having one end protruding beyond the end of said housing and whereon is formed an annular enlargement, said member having slits extending inwardly through said annular enlargement to form a plurality of fingers normally biased by the resiliency of said member toward each other so that the normal outside diameter of said enlargement is less than the inside ldiameter of said tube, a die-expanding mandrel formed on the end of said rod protruding beyond said member and adapted when shifted relative to said member to expand said annular enlargement to form a bead on said tube. a stop arranged in 6 the forward end of the bore of said housing, a hub on said member abutting said stop to linut the protrusion of said member from said housing, resilient means normally urging a relative axial movement of said member and housing to the limit permitted by the abutment of said hub against said stop, a head on said rodl and a shoulder on said member coacting to limit the relative movement of said rod in the expansion of said lenlargement by said mandrel, other resilient means normally .urging a relative axial movement v of said member and rod to disengage said head and shoulder, and manually-controlled means operatively connected to said housing and said rod to effect a successive relative movement of said rod and memberand said member and housing so as to first form a bead on a tube and subsequently flare the end with said member remaining in ilxed axial relationship to said tube during the formation of said flare.

2. In a tube-beading and -flaring tool, the combination of a concentrically-arranged relatively-shiftable housing, tubular member, and rod concentrically arranged for relative axial shifting, a tube flaring nose formed on the outer end of said housing'to contact the end of a tube which is to be beaded and flared, an apertured cap removably attached to the opposite end of said housing, said member having one end protruding beyond the end of said housing and whereon is formed an annular enlargement, said member having slits extending inwardly through said annular enlargement to form a plurality of fingers normally biased by the resiliency of said member toward each other so that the normal outside diameter of said enlargement is less than the inside diameter of said tube, a die-expanding mandrel formed on the end of said rod protruding beyond said member and adapted when shifted relative to said member to expand said annular enlargement to form a bead on said tube, a stop arranged in the forward end of the bore of said housing, an extension on said rod protruding through said apertured cap beyond. the opfencased within said housing between the end of respect to the flared end of said member operatively connected to said housing and said rod extension to effect a successive relative movement of said rod and memberl and said member and housing so as to rst form a bead on a tube and subsequently flare the end thereof with said member remaining in fixed axial relationship to said tube during the formation of said flare;

HOWARD F. BRINEN. EDWARD J. KOTHERA.

' 7 REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the file of this patent. 2,405,399 UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS J 5 2,413,542 Number Name Date 2,417,202 1,017,389 Dickson Feb. 13, 1912 2,435,652 2,104,468 Osborn Jan. 4, 1938 2,134,735 Reinhold Nov. 1, 1938 2,319,216 Dewald May 1s, 1943 1o Number 2,324,030 scheuin July 13, 1943 45L396 2,370,840Y Carlson Mar. 6, 1945 s 4 Namo` Date Kahler Apr. 17, 1945 Huck Dec. 11, 1945 Bugg Aug. 6, 1948 Butts Dec. 31', 1946 Hull Mar. 11, 1947 Koehler Feb. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS CountryV Date Great Britain Aug. 5. 1936 

